Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt extends the deadline for his decision on whether or not to approve onshore dumping of dredge spoil from the Abbot Point coal terminal expansion near the Great Barrier Reef.

Central Queensland's coal freight network is set to face major disruptions from tomorrow as Rail Tram and Bus Union members prepare to stop work at four major coal depots, near Blackwater, Stanwell, Gladstone and Bowen, over an industrial dispute with freight company Aurizon.